Just another WordPress.com site

Monthly Archives: August 2015

Sonya started a new chapter in her life today- she is now a fellow student at Alon’s preschool. And by far the smallest of the bunch there. From what I was told, there was some crying, especially following her nap. But she was fine when I dropped her off (maybe shell-shocked by all the wailing around her- there were some seriously hysterical kids). Highlights of the day: eating play dough (maybe that was a lowlight- I saw it and its aftermath, and it didn’t seem like fun); digging in the sand pit; and school snack (who can resist?!).

Having lived in the far reaches of MetroWest, we have learned an important thing: this area is a geographical oddity.

When we were exploring the region around Boxboro – orchards, restaurants, whatnot – it seemed like everything was a 15 minute drive away. Maynard is turning out to fit that flavor of geography.

We got a recommendation from a neighbor for a nice place to go out. It was our first date night since Forever. He recommended a sushi shop just down the road.

Want to guess how far of a drive it is from our house?

The geographical oddity of Maynard isn’t restricted to the horseless carriage. From our house to the two coffee shops, Maynard Outdoor Store, Fine Arts Cinema, two Thai restaurants, a Korean restaurant (that has been characterized as akin to the SoupNazi), farmer’s market, post office, orchards, orchards, orchards, orchards, orchards, orchards, orchards, orchards, orchards, a forested walk to the Assabet River, bike shop, art coop store, pizza, liquor shop, & whatnot, everything is a 15 minute walk, or so, depending on your pace (and the actual truth that some of the above is actually closer to a 20-23 minute walk. But that just gets in the way of story telling).

So, this is a long leadin to introduce our house. Treed, breezy, quiet with 2 guest rooms and 2 baths, it is a good place to come visit. It might be a bit of a journey, but once you arrive, it is no more than a 15-20 minute schlep, by hook, crook, foot, or car, to anything. In 2 years or, hopefully, 15 minutes, we will have a walkable and large food coop as well as a 10-12 mile rail-to-trail.

On Monday, Karen celebrated her 29th birthday. We celebrated all day long.
To start the day, we took MamaCita to the alternative coffee house for breakfast (alternative to our year-old traditional coffee haus). Sonya celebrated by trying to eat all of our food. That makes Mama happy.

We then toured Main Street and surprised Karen by buying a bracelet at a local arts & crafts gift shop. We steered her there so she could complete a purchase she had been planning.

Early that afternoon, Uncle Yoni arrived. Alon sang happy birthday to his uncle and then we headed downtown again to give Jon a tour.

From there, we made it to Alon’s favorite playground and everyone played.
Jon, Alon, and Dada played basketball.

Score! (Eventually)
Alon conquered the giant slide. It might not seem the big deal that it actually is, but, as the locals say, it is a wicked slide.

Seriously.
Not kidding – wicked.
Sonya crawled from parent to uncle and the took a lap on the basketball court track before settling in to dig in the dirt (her passion after eating).
We ended the day over grilled burgers, fresh sweet corn, wine, and orange cake straight from Israel (in a roundabou, suitcase kind of way).

As you saw in the previous post, we made our way to the Adirondacks to visit Neil’s parents and spend some time in the great summer freshness of the region.
Neil has been going there for as long as he remembers,and remembers many things ncluding catching his first fish and then, around that time, falling into a cold, cold creek as well as climbing Blue Mountain (if you consider being carried as climbing).

We started the first day at The Doughnut Shop in Eagle Bay. One year older than Neil, three generations of Pedersons have been stopping there for old-fashioned fried cakes.
Sonya enjoying her first doughnut.

We then climbed Bald Mountain. Alon climbed the 1 mile trail that rose 500 feet in elevation all by himself. He seemed bored on the flat portion, but once he hit the slabs of rock and started climbing, he was off!

Anticipating his first climb.

Three quarters of the way there!
To motivate him over the last 1/4 of the hike, we told him about the fire tower at the top. When we got there, he said he didn’t want to go up ther tower, but started up the steps immediately!

Made it – climbed all steps all by himself.

Family selfie on Bald Mountain.

The climb down revealed weariness in both Alon and Sonya. Alon made it the whole way on his own, despite steep rock slabs. Sonya napped the whole way down.

Fresh air nap

Snack rest.

Bald Mountain Finis
We went swimming in First Lake and then got ice cream in Old Forge, another decades-old tradition.

The next day, we climbed Rock Mount, the place of the prior post. Sonya slept on the hike down and Alon started to voice his weariness.

The kids got time with Grandma and Grandpa. Continuing the traditions, Alon got baseball time on Main Street with Dada and Grandpa.

Spot the ball.

Bat speed is the secret. Track the ball.
Baseball with Grandpa.
Sonya crawled all around Grandma’s legs and carried out her favorite non-eating activity, digging in the dirt (just like her dad, many moons ago in nearly the same spot).

To complete the traditions, we ate at Pied Piper and then began our trek Home.